The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has informed the more than 926,000 SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in Indiana about important changes that will impact them starting in January.

Information on the date changes is available at www.SNAP.IN.gov, as is a video featuring George Hill of the Indiana Pacers helping to explain the changes.

Payment dates for SNAP depend on the first letter of the client’s last name, and benefits have previously been made to clients during the first 10 days of each month. Starting in 2014, SNAP payments will be spread from the fifth through the 23rd of every month, on odd days.

January Phase-In

However, to phase in the change, in the month of January 2014 only, SNAP clients will receive half of their benefits on their current date and the other half on their new date.

The amount of recipients’ SNAP benefits is NOT changing – but the day on which benefits are applied to their Hoosier Works EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards will change.

The changes are the result of Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 530, passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2013, and will change the dates recipients will receive their monthly benefits beginning with a one month transition in January 2014.